Gallery Hours:
Hours 11-6
Thursday-Monday
(closed Tuesday & Wednesday)

The Quicksilver Mine Co.
6671 Front St. (Hwy. 116)
Downtown Forestville

PHONE: 707.887.0799
FAX: 707.887.0146
MAIL: P.O. Box 844
Forestville, CA 95436

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LUMINOUS SHADOWS

Mezzotints & Paintings by Holly Downing

April 17—May 25, 2009

The Quicksilver Mine Co. presents a one woman exhibition of recent work by Sebastopol painter and printmaker Holly Downing beginning on April 17th.

 

"Lamentation for a Palestinian Friend," by Holly Downing
"Lamentation for a Palestinian Friend,"
Oil on canvas, 54" X 72", 2008/8

Included in this Show are recent oil paintings along with rich, sensuous mezzotints. Some of the work is part of a series of paintings based on Peruvian and Tibetan textiles; some pieces illuminate the architecture and objects of traditional cultures around the world.

 

"Arabal II," by Holly Downing
"Arabal II," Oil on canvas,
14" X 18", 2008

Her mezzotints employ an 18th century means of artistic reproduction involving "rocking" a copper plate with a mezzotint rocker until a plate has thousands of tiny holes each with a raised burr holding ink, allowing her to "scrape images out of darkness" and create a rich velvety black unparalleled by any other print medium. Through this process she infuses quietly dramatic imagery into seemingly simple and humble subject matter.

Downing's paintings and mezzotints have been exhibited in solo exhibitions in London, Scotland, the Philippines and across the United States. She is the recipient of many grants and is an elected member of the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers in London, England. She received her MFA from Goddard College Program in Europe, and has taught art at the college level for 28 years.

 

"Peruvian Huayno II," by Holly Downing
"Peruvian Huayno II,"
Oil on canvas, 36" X 60", 2007

 

 

"Knotted Drapery," by Holly Downing
"Knotted Drapery,"
Mezzotint, 18" X 22", 2002

 

"Passaggi," by Holly Downing
"Passaggi," Mezzotint, 7" X 23", 2007

click on images for larger views

 

Luminous Shadows: Mezzotints and Paintings, opens with a reception for the artist on Saturday April 18th from 4—6pm. The exhibition continues through May 25th.

 

"Passaggio, Montecastello di Vibio," by Holly Downing
"Passaggio, Montecastello di Vibio,"
Oil on linen, 24" X 36", 2008

 

Holly Downing will also present a gallery talk, Mezzotints: Illuminating the Way, on Thursday evening May 14th beginning at 7pm.

 

"Via dell Unita D'Italia," by Holly Downing
"Via dell Unita D'Italia,"
Oil on canvas,
8" X 10", 2006

 

"Peruvian Huayno I," by Holly Downing
"Peruvian Huayno I,"
Oil on canvas,
57" X 37", 2007

 

 

"La Familia," by Holly Downing
"La Familia,"
6 plate mezzotint,
15.5" X 12", 1998